Stanford football: Harbaugh talks Luck, the Heisman, the bowls and more

Stanford’s regular season ended five days ago, but there’s no shortage of news involving the Cardinal.

Coach Jim Harbaugh made an impassioned case Wednesday for quarterback Andrew Luck as the most deserving candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Luck is expected to be one of four finalists invited to New York City next week for the awards ceremony. The favorite is Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, who has been ruled eligible for the SEC championship game even though his father was involved in a play-for-pay scheme.

The NCAA determined that Newton did not know his father was seeking as much as $180,000 for Newton’s services.

“In terms of what the Heisman is about, it’s the person who strives for excellence with the utmost integrity,’’ said Harbaugh, who never mentioned Newton by name.

“Andrew is pure excellence on the field. You see the same excellence in the classroom, and he has the utmost integrity. If I had to put my life in another man’s hands, in terms of integrity, it would be Andrew.’’

Harbaugh wasn’t nearly as loquacious when asked about his plans for today. He won’t be attending the Michigan football banquet honoring the 1985 team, one of the best in school history. Harbaugh was the Wolverines’ starting quarterback.

“I am here,’’ he said matter-of-factly. “My schedule prevents me from being there.’’

Harbaugh has a practice to run, but he’s no doubt aware of the chaos that his appearance would cause in Ann Arbor. He is the favorite among Michigan fans to replace unpopular coach Rich Rodriguez, who will be attending the banquet.

(bullet) Luck is a finalist for three major awards: The Davey O’Brien, given to the nation’s best quarterback, and the Maxwell and Walter Camp, which honor the nation’s top player.

Newton is a finalist for all three awards, as well.

Stanford associate head coach Greg Roman is one of final finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant. Roman is in charge of the tight ends and offensive tackles.

(bullet) Harbaugh was asked Wednesday about the poor attendance at home games – Stanford Stadium was rarely more than 75 percent full — and the marketing push required to attract new fans.

“Somebody has got to spearhead that,’’ he said. “It’s got to come from the president of the university saying somebody is in charge. It can’t be everybody pointing around a table saying, ‘It’s your job. It’s your job.’’’

(bullet) Harbaugh expressed frustration with the bowl selection system, in particular the prospect of Stanford’s destination being affected by its small fan base (relative to teams from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12).

“How Stanford travels to game keeps coming up,’’ he said. “I didn’t notice that in the criteria for the BCS rankings. (If it’s part of the selection process), then count me in favor of a playoff.’’

Harbaugh is half right: Ticket sales have nothing to do with the BCS rankings. The system is designed to match the No. 1 and 2 teams in the national championship game.

The Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange bowls operate differently. They base team selections on a number of factors, including geography, conference affiliation and economics (ticket sales, hotel bookings, etc.).

If No. 4 Stanford holds its current position in the BCS standings – it’s No. 4, just ahead of Wisconsin — it’s guaranteed a spot in one of the major bowls.

But in the unlikely event it slips to No. 5, the Cardinal could get squeezed out because of its small fan base.

If that’s the case, Harbaugh said, “You might have one hot guy at next week’s press conference.’’

Jim Harbaugh was in a passionate mood Wednesday at his end-of-season, pre-bowl-selection press conference.

The topics ranged from Stanford’s postseason options and the Heisman race to attendance/marketing and his busy schedule, which is keeping him from attending the Michigan banquet.

(Note: Jeff Tedford did not have a presser this week but was available on the Pac-10 coaches teleconference, where he addressed the quarterback situation headed into the offseason. I’ll have that posted later tonight or first thing tomorrow.)

*** On Luck’s Heisman-worthiness:

(Note: Harbaugh never mentioned Cam Newton by name, but you probably get his drift).

“In terms of what the Heisman is about, it’s the person who strives for excellence with the utmost integrity.

“Andrew is pure excellence on the field. You see the same excellence in the classroom, and he has the utmost integrity. If I had to put my life in another man’s hands, in terms of integrity, it would be Andrew.’’

*** What makes Luck special as a quarterback:

“His ability when the game is on the line to perform at a higher level. That, to me, separates the good ones from the great ones.

“He’s cold-blooded, calm and even more focused, all at the same time. He’s the best player I’ve been around, either on the same team or coached.”

(Wow.)

*** On not attending the Michigan football banquet Thursday honoring his 1985 team:

“I am here. My schedule prevents me from being there.’’

*** On the small crowds at home games and the marketing push required to attract new fans.

(Note: I did NOT ask this question.)

“I want the players to have it all, and they have most all of it. We want big crowds, too.

“Somebody has got to spearhead that. It’s got to come from the president of the university saying somebody is in charge. It can’t be everybody pointing around a table saying, ‘It’s your job. It’s your job.’’’

*** On his preferred bowl destination:

“If it works out that way (the Rose Bowl), that would be great. But I hope we;re in the national championship game.”

*** On frustration with the bowl selection system:

(Specifically, the prospect of Stanford’s prospects being affected by its small fan base relative to teams from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12.)

“How Stanford travels to game keeps coming up. I didn’t notice that in the criteria for the BCS rankings. (If it’s part of the selection process), then count me in favor of a playoff.’’

* Harbaugh is half right: Potential ticket sales (or lack thereof) have nothing to do with the BCS rankings. The system was designed to match the No. 1 and 2 teams in the national championship game. That’s its purpose.

The Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange bowls base their selections on a number of factors, including geography, longstanding conference affiliations, TV ratings and economics (ticket sales, hotel bookings, etc.).

If No. 4 Stanford holds its current position in the BCS standings – it’s No. 4, just ahead of Wisconsin — it’s guaranteed a spot in one of the major bowls.

But in the unlikely event it slips to No. 5, the Cardinal could get squeezed out because of its small fan base.

If that’s the case, Harbaugh said, “You might have one hot guy at next week’s press conference.’’